Abstract. Benidipine is a dihydropyridine-derived calcium channel blocker developed in Japan, with several unique mechanisms of action, that is, triple calcium channels (L, N, and T) blocking action with a membrane approach. Benidipine has relatively high vascular selectivity and is expected to show protective effects on vascular endothelial cells. Renal protective effects of benidipine also have been shown in several basic and clinical studies. Moreover, anti-oxidative action and enhancing nitric oxide production have been noted with this drug, following its cardioprotective effects in patients with ischemic heart diseases. In fact, benidipine exerted a better prognostic effect than other calcium channel blockers in the therapy for patients with vasospastic angina. In addition, benidipine showed reliable antihypertensive, renoprotective effects if used in combination with angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers (ARBs) when adequate anti-hypertensive effects are not achieved by ARBs alone, indicating that benidipine is an useful calcium channel blocker in combination therapy for hypertension. Benidipine was launched on the Japanese market 14 years ago, but few severe side effects have been reported, suggesting that this is a drug with established safety and long-acting pharmacological effects.

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We examined the effect of the dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (CCB) benidipine, the angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB) candesartan, and the combination of these drugs on blood pressure and kidney and vascular function in rats with salt-induced hypertension. Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) rats were fed with a high-salt (8% NaCl) diet from 7 weeks of age. Benidipine (1, 3 mg/kg), candesartan (1, 3 mg/kg), benidipine